Join us in honoring Phil Hopwood’s retirement. He served GCI for more than 40 years in Canada and Australia.
Congratulations, Phil! We are very grateful for your many years of faithful service.
We wanted you to hear from Phil in his own words.
Phil at a youth camp in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 1997
I was brought up in a Methodist church in Launceston, Tasmania. At 14 I was given a Radio Church of God booklet. I listened to The World Tomorrow and read The Plain Truth and booklets and was baptized in a mountain creek in early 1972. The cold water exhausted my lungs, which struck me as symbolic of my baptism into Jesus’ death, and being raised to breathe new life.
In 1972 I went to the United Kingdom for two years, attending services and studies at Bricket Wood. On returning to Tasmania, I became increasingly involved in the local congregations, including Spokesmen’s Club, organizing activities, and speaking at services.
Phil at a Tasmania wilderness camp, 1977
In 1979 my pastor recommended I apply for Ambassador College. I studied in Pasadena from 1980-1983. They were three of the best years of my life and included a summer at the Jerusalem dig. Many current GCI leaders and pastors were fellow students. I was head usher at the Auditorium for a time and loved the concerts. It was a great feeling having the keys to that magnificent building in my pocket. I later worked in the personal correspondence department. This was useful during the changes when I was asked to answer hundreds of letters from Australia and Southeast Asia from members struggling with the new teachings.
I was privileged to be a summer ministerial trainee in Vancouver, Canada in 1982 and was hired there after graduating. I later ministered in Red Deer and Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Among the highlights were organising Y.O.U ski trips, bike trips, and houseboat trips in Alberta and British Columbia. I married in 1986, and when transferred back to Australia to pastor the Newcastle congregation in 1992, we were a family of five.
I had come to understand the basics of God’s grace and was overjoyed when the doctrinal changes came. Most local members listened, learned, and grew quickly in understanding, which was a blessing to witness. During that tumultuous time, I helped organise email forums for members around the world to help each other with the many questions the denominational transformation raised. Bret Miller set up the technical side, and Ted Johnson joined me in responding to myriad questions and concerns.
In 1997, we moved back to Tasmania to pastor three congregations. There were further challenges ahead, again helping congregations with the doctrinal changes. Launceston became the first Australian congregation to move to Sunday services, and we moved our annual festival celebration to a different time of year. Later, this turned into an annual retreat that has continued. The next one is planned for Advent this year.
Phil teaching an ACCM course, 2018
In the past 20 plus years, I have pastored part-time, run a computer business, and taught adult education computer classes. I also created and taught ACCM classes around the world, including pastoral care and preaching classes, in the U.S., Namibia, Fiji, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.
After 41 years in pastoral ministry, I retired on June 30. It was challenging anticipating what this new life stage would be like, but I am loving it. I am converting an ex-ambulance into a campervan, joined a men’s shed and music group, and have time to do more things around the home (lots of overdue projects), as well as reading, learning piano and guitar, I am continuing to walk with and support local members.
The journey has been an amazing adventure. The greatest blessing has been making friends around the world and seeing so many members experience joy and encouragement from understanding more about who God really is as revealed in Jesus.
2 thoughts on “Retirement of Phil Hopwood”
Congratulations on your retirement Phil, and many thanks for your years of faithful service to the church in the employ of GCI. It’s been a great blessing to team up with you from time to time. I wish you well in the years ahead.
Congratulations Phil for your 40 years of service in the WCG/GCI fellowship. As a pastor you enriched the lives of many. You have a teaching gift that I am sure will continue to play an important role in whatever the Lord guides you to do next. Well done brother!
Congratulations on your retirement Phil, and many thanks for your years of faithful service to the church in the employ of GCI. It’s been a great blessing to team up with you from time to time. I wish you well in the years ahead.
Congratulations Phil for your 40 years of service in the WCG/GCI fellowship. As a pastor you enriched the lives of many. You have a teaching gift that I am sure will continue to play an important role in whatever the Lord guides you to do next. Well done brother!